Safely back In Lusaka.

Hey all!
Just came to write a little bit and tell that I am safely back to Lusaka. The trip to Chibobo was something amazing and there is many stories to tell. Today I don't have much time to spend but coming days I do my best.

27.11

Wednesday evening I spent with Emmanuel's son and sister by watching tv and talking. We watched this Nigerian movie called Small-shit, which was weirdest ever. We talked about Zambia's political situation, which is quite interesting, more about that later.

We left to Chibobo after we bought the food for the trip. The main roads in Zambia are in very good condition, even better than in some cases in Finland. There is police checkpoints almost in every 50km where police checks the condition of the car.
So we went to Chibobo with Clive an Cecicilia (who is also one GLM worker) and we were there after five. I tell you more about the trip tomorrow. Now have to get something to eat.

"Welcome to Zambia, the real Africa."

Again, runned away from the streets of Zambia to secure and comfort shopping mall.
Yesterday evening I hanged out at Emmanuel's, basically just reading and resting, I was so tired.
I had a dinner with James (who is Manu's brother). Nshima with two relishes and that it what they usually eat. We watched tv and just chatted. From Zambians national channel came some weird "drama" series. Man listened to radio in the village and tried to fix it to correct channel and then he mumbled something in Nyanja (one of the Zambian languages). Sure there was some meaning, I just did not get it. I went to bed after nine, did not see Emmanuel yet.

Today I waked up around 6.30am. Usually people get up at six, so they have time wash up, eat and walk to school/work. Emmanuel came to say hello and ate breakfast with him. He also took me to see the possible new GLM office facilities in this one conference center. There is offices or another development organizations like PELUM, which is GLM's top organization. GLM is now negotiating to get office room from there. It would be good thing for them and would make their working lot easier.
I met there one of these organizations called SEPA (don't remember where it comes from) and talked about their project. They have project Zambezi in Northwest Zambia. Their they develop the most important human right, reading and writing. Lady from SEPA explain, that they are building community schools, teach teachers and help community building. She told very sad story about one children who died during the way to school in heavy rain. Sounds tough? Closest school have been 20km away from the villages. Now that they had build community schools, things are getting better. SEPA is funding their project their selves, from their on pockets. Imagine, people with poor condition is funding an co-operational project in one of the poorest city in the world and what we do here? Wealthy country like Finland and people in here does not care a damn.

After that we went to current office. Well, electricity where still off (I just heard that it came back on at 2pm). GLM had management meeting in the dark and I just was reading a book.
We were also planning the real thing, tomorrows field visit to Chibobo with Clive. We are staying there for Friday and Saturday, coming back in Sunday. There we should meet and interview the farmers and see the everyday farmer and villager life. I think and hope that it is going to be my trips high point. So next time you are going to here from me Sunday or Monday and many stories from Chibobo. I tried to attach some pictures but the current computer do not support memory sticks, so I do it after Chibobo.

First day in Africa.

Hey yaa. Here I'm again. Sitting in this clean and strongly supervised mall and in net cafe.
I am gather notes from my trip so far so let's get back.

24.11 Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

Weather was awful to Helsinki and even worse there. Flight to London was late about 1.5h and I had to run to have enough time to eat at Heathrow before departure to Lusaka. In the same plane to London I had a privilege to be with the King itself, Jari Litmanen. From Heathrow to Lusaka trip went smoothly, although could not sleep at all.

25.11 Lusaka

I was at Lusaka around 6.30am. Passport control went also surprisingly smoothly. Our Finnish project workers were warning, that they might try to charge me more money, luckily they didn't.

Clive picked me up from the airport with GLM Toyota. With was very nice to see Clive and he seems to be very happy and trustworthy guy. We proceeded to Emmanuel's house were I am staying for my Lusaka time. He live in this area called Chelston. Area is very tightly built and there is lot's of old houses. Emmanuel house has around 4 bedrooms, small kitchen, living room, toilet and washroom. I am not sure how many are living in there, cause there was people going around all the time, but at least his aunt and three children. I have my own room with one cardboard, bookshelf and bed. Nothing special, but very luxorious compared to other people places. Aunt Chena (I think it was here name) is very friendly. She put my washing water right away to washing room and I could go to "shower" after long flight, very relaxing. Then I had Zambian breakfast. White bread used in some oil and very delicious tee. .
To live at an African house and see the African life it just what I need from this trip. Experience and opportunity weight my own believes what is important and what is not.

We went to GLM office with Clive after quick stop to mall. At the office we supposed to meet other employees and get me familiar with the environment. During the way we went through this market place or so and there it was where the poverty really hits to your face.
Small, couple year old children are wondering around just some old shirt on them, asking for couple hundred kwacha (around 5 cents). People are selling anything they can, from henna tattoos to plastic bags. It is very frustrating to see in which kind of circumstances they live in.
We are very happy to be born in Finland. How hard it is ever for us, we cant even imagine how hard it really is to, when you have to fight to survive for day through.
GLM office were three people plus me and Clive, but not any electricity. That is common that they (govermental officers) shut down the electricity once in a while. Well people working with computers could not do anything, so we just sat there and I offered some Salmiakki candies.

Tomorrow we are supposed to plan the field trip to Chibobo village, where we go on Thursday. We are until Sunday to really see and research about how those project are really working on grass root level. This evening I have my very first real African dinner with Emmanuel's family.
Until that I hang out at the mall and go and have rest.

This is a cliche but Africa have to experience to know it all. .

P.S I have friends on my room. Other side of the wall is birds nest :D YEY!

Mama Africa!

Just way down the Aaafricaa! Here we are, 25 degrees celsius. Warm as hell! I am now sitting in the internet cafe quickly to check my mail and write little something. I have now visited my host family at Emmanuel's place. Next I am going to GLM office to meet rest of the crew. Clive picked my up from the airport and is now guiding me through.

I am a bit nervous cause I am seen only couple white people here. Now I know how immigrants feel in Finland, being minority.

Detailed info and pictures coming later!

Flight to Heathrow airport departs at 14.05!

And tomorrow it is FINALLY the day, when I leave this dark and wealthy Finland to bright and exotic Zambia. Yesterday I was visiting my friend´s housewarming party as my last "night out in Finland". I had a great time and I hope somebody else had too ;).
Today I have packed. And packed and checking that everything is coming with me. I take bus to Helsinki-Vantaa airport at nine o`clock and I should be on my way to Heathrow at 14.05.

It is quite exiting to travel alone. I realized, that I have only traveled alone, once to Estonia this Fall! That gives bit more color to my trip. I can´t wait to see how the everyday life is lived in the country, where 50% of the people live with only one dollar per day. In the country where 17% or even more population have HIV. In the country where people don´t know when to go to work, if they can eat today or not.

I don´t know how much I can write from Lusaka. There should be good internet cafe´s so be prepared to hear from daily! Expect my field visit to Chibobo.

Next time when you hear from me, I am somewhere over the rainbow.

Three days and counting.

Wuhuu! Weekend is here and final preparations should be started. I think I should start packing, but maybe I leave it to Sunday. Tomorrow I´m going to basketball tournament to coach my boys. I have made an huge list what should I take with. Weight limit for luggage is 20kg, so let´s see what I have to leave behind. I´m very lucky, that our Finnish project workers have been there before, so they could give tips that I might be able to consider myself.
I have tried to find something to bring to GLM and I got a good idea! Cause I am going to work with computer issues, it would be nice to bring some computer related reading so they could learn themselves too. Well, this small town of Turku (170 000 inhabitants) DO NOT have computer books in English! I was quite shocked. Well I try to find something.

We had an African dinner with our finnish project workers this evening. Our finnish project co-ordinator made this very traditional Zambian food. It is called nishma and it´s kinda like mashed potatoes but lot thicker and you eat it with hands. With nishma there is usually relishes like beans and cabbage. It was interesting to eat with hands (and bit difficult too) cause you have to make small balls from nishma and use it like a spoon to eat those relishes. But very delicious it was.

So Monday it starts. Trip to hole different culture and world. Trip to eye opening experience which can change the man itself. Can´t wait!

J

Six days and Zambia here I come!

18Th of November at 12.15.

It is now Tuesday and next week Monday I am on my way. My plane till London will depart at 14.05 from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. I will be in Lusaka 25Th of November at 6.35am.
Till now I am almost ready to go. Some general issues I have to take care still (like packing). Visa and plane tickets have been taking care of and also needed injections and malaria-medicines.

Something about my program in Zambia. Like some of you know I am going there to monitor an development co-operation project which our Student Union have there in 5 villages in Central Province in Zambia. It is a three years project which is funded by Foreign Ministry. It´s mandatory to evaluate every year and this is the first time for it.
I am going to stay at Emmanuel´s place (who is manager of the local co-operational partner) in Lusaka.
My planned program is:
25-26.11 in Lusaka, getting familiar with host family and GLM (Green Living Movement)
27-30.11 in Chibob project village. Getting to know the project and interviewing farmers
1-5.12 in Lusaka GLM office. Helping with computer issues.
6-10.12 Visit to Livingstone and Victoria Falls!
11.12 Leaving from Zambia and heading back to Turku.

I have many things to do there and I know that I am going to get life lasting expriences from it!
Through this blog I want to share my adventures with you and do my best to post some pictures too!